Dr Steven
Buchanan

Reader

Computer and Information Sciences

Steven
Buchanan

Personal statement

Reader, Information Behaviour Research Group Leader, and Director of PG Teaching within the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde. With a particular interest in Information Behaviour at both the organisational and individual level, research interests and expertise encompass organisational and human information behaviours.

Extensive experience of applied information needs analysis within the organisational context through his authoritative information audit work, including a commonly cited methodology that has been applied across a number of public and private sector organisations. Currently leading a number of projects investigating human information behaviours in marginalised and/or disadvantaged circumstances including a major information poverty study exploring how public information providers spanning (but not limited to) health, social care, and education can support young first time mothers from areas of multiple deprivations and their children to prosper in the digital age.

Internationally recognised, he has been engaged across Europe and Australasia by a number of public and private sector organisations, and currently has active research partnership agreements with Glasgow Life and Barnardo’s, and is an advisor to the National Health Service Education Scotland. Research funded by ESRC, EPSRC, and AHRC; and has a track record of research publications in top quartile Information Science Index (ISI) ranked journals. Recipient of an Emerald Literati Review Outstanding Paper Award; and two Outstanding Teaching Certificates of Recognition. Member of the ESRC Peer Review College.

This studentship will investigate the public library (PL) role in supporting, empowering, enriching and connecting individuals, groups, and communities in the cultural context. The studentship will bring together theories and models of information behaviour with theories of cultural capital to better understand the PL role in developing the cultural competencies of individuals, and stimulating community engagement and cultural citizenship.